We had one of those Sundays where an animal's health prompted a flurry of calls to our vet in Helena. Wobbly, blind Briggs had started showing slight tremors in the morning, so we took his temperature and found he was running a fever of 103°. Not very high, yet still a fever. But the tremors were unnerving, so we called our our clinic's emergency number and talked with our primary care vet, Dr. Brenda Culver. Because of the Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever he had for a long time before coming to us, Briggs' health can be a complicated affair. He continues to be on doxycycline for the spotted fever, even a year after Brenda diagnosed it as the root cause of his disabilities. The fact that he was on doxycycline and now running a fever again was also alarming.
Brenda explained that this can be one of the "legacy" issues of spotted fever, so she had us give him Baytril, a different type of antibiotic. After having us describe his tremors -- slight trembling, like shivering -- she concluded that might be because of the fever.
About 90 minutes later after giving him the Baytril, Briggs threw up. Another call to Brenda, who told us he would likely have absorbed most of the Baytril in that amount of time so it should still take effect. We should continue to monitor him for any changes.
A couple of hours later, his tremors suddenly became more pronounced. As he lay on the floor, he began rhythmically pulling his legs in towards his body and then flexing them out again. We didn't like the looks of that, so we called Brenda again. Since we're 70 miles from the clinic, we do quite a lot of "tele-medicine" with our vets and try to give them as much accurate information as possible so they can decide if we need to bring the animal in. Other than his tremors and fever, Briggs was otherwise what vets call BAR -- bright, alert and responsive. We did some quick neuro assessments for Brenda -- no dragging of paws, etc. So it didn't feel like we needed to rush him over to Helena, but clearly something was amiss with his tremors.
Brenda wanted to give him a steroid to "quiet" the tremors and give the Baytril a chance to kick in.
What next ensued is a conversation we've had many times with Brenda and with our equine vet, Dr. Erin Taylor. We have a well-stocked "pharmacy" here for scenarios exactly like this one, and while we don't always have the first medication they ask for, we usually have something in the same class of drugs.
Brenda: "Do you have any injectable prednisone?"
Me: "No. But I think we have Depo-Medrol. Let me go look."
(Sounds of Steve rummaging through the medical cabinet, shuffling bottles of this and that around.)
Me again: "Hey, wait, I just found some injectable Dexamethsone. But it's the SP type."
Brenda: "Perfect! That's just what we want. It's the 4 mg per ml version, right?"
Me: "Yes, it is. How much should I give him?"
(Sounds of Brenda doing the dosage/weight calculations in her head. This is why she went to vet school and I didn't.)
Brenda: "Let's give him 6 mls sub-Q (under the skin) and see how he does."
I thanked her for all her help and went off to find the syringe I needed. Alayne took the photo above of Briggs getting his injection.
A short while later, his tremors were gone. He got up off the cot, wobbled into the kitchen to drink from the water bowl, and suddenly seemed much spunkier.
Yesterday evening, he ate his dinner just fine and kept his second dose of Baytril down. Today he is much better -- his temperature is normal, no tremors, and a happier boy all around!
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Don't forget, you can vote every day for us in The Animal Rescue Site/PetFinder's Shelter Challenge.
Enter
"Rolling Dog Ranch" and our state postal code, MT for Montana,
and it will bring up our listing so you can cast your vote. Invite your family and friends to vote, too!
Still No. 3 -- please keep voting!
Your vets are super amazing!
Posted by: Marisa | May 21, 2009 at 03:18 PM
There were several days/nights that I couldn't get onto the Blog & I was having withdrawals. I hope Briggs is much improved & it's great that you have so many of the medications on hand that you need when these strange situations happen. Especially since you're not near any of the Vets.
I've been voting for the RDR everyday!
Big hugs to all,
ginger, Tobias & Tlingit
Posted by: ginger | May 21, 2009 at 10:50 AM
Wow, I am once again amazed at how wonderfully you, Alayne & your team of devoted vets handle emergency situations. Also, how all of you are so blessed to have such intelligence & calm along with such caring, loving hearts. I am so, so happy Briggs is doing better. The look on his face is complete & total trust knowing Steve is going to take care of this! Many thanks to Dr. Culver!
Posted by: Colleen & Sweet Kitty Erin | May 19, 2009 at 06:35 PM
OMG......I was so scared that it was going to be a bad ending and I didn't want to cry. Thank God all is well now.
BTW.....We need a Callie update!
Posted by: Marla | May 19, 2009 at 06:12 PM
Phew indeed. Briggs is wise and fortunate in trusting Team RDR. Wish I could give you all a bezillion votes a day!
Posted by: Margaret | May 19, 2009 at 04:18 PM
Wow....
Posted by: Lynn | May 19, 2009 at 12:05 PM
Doxycycline? Are you trying to turn him into a Dachshund? ;)
Glad to hear Briggs is doing better.
Posted by: Amy A | May 19, 2009 at 11:33 AM
Briggs looks like he totally trusts that you will make him all better and you did! You guys are great, give Briggs a hug from me and congrats on being so calm once again during a crisis - this is why we all vote for you guys in the contest! :)
Posted by: Katy | May 19, 2009 at 10:38 AM
Such scary moments are also so stressful. I can't imagine going through that AND being fo far from the vet. You definitely have a good system and a lot of caring people out there. And how is Callie doing? Are her inner ear troubles getting any better? She's still in our thoughts, of course.
Posted by: Barb Ribinski | May 19, 2009 at 08:27 AM
I have a similiar set up wtih several vets here in Houston; we truly could not deal with the number of animals needing help without this special relationship.
Whenever people say nice things to me about my rescue efforts I say we couldn't do it without our vets.
Thank you for all you do for the
"who are you calling special needs?":) babies in your care!
Janet
Posted by: Janet Huey | May 19, 2009 at 07:30 AM
Don't you just love happy endings?:-) Three cheers for sweet Briggs!!
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for taking such good,loving care of your furkids. God bless you.
Posted by: Carla Polastro-Nigro | May 19, 2009 at 02:40 AM
Very intense!! Glad he's doing better!!!!
Posted by: Shirley * James/Portland, OR | May 19, 2009 at 12:52 AM
WHEW!!!
Posted by: Morgan Skilling | May 18, 2009 at 10:17 PM
The trusting, calm, even happy look on Briggs face shows he knows your doing all you can. He can't wait to get back out and about to try his charms on any recent female arrivals.
Posted by: Bob | May 18, 2009 at 07:52 PM
YAY!!!!!
Posted by: Leila from Washington | May 18, 2009 at 07:39 PM
You two continue to amaze me. The knowledge you've absorbed is inspiring. I don't know that I've ever seen two people as devoted to the little ones as you are.
And there is a flip side to this. You are both not just smart and well educated, but wise: you have surrounded yourself with unconditional love.
How much closer to heaven can one get?
I'm so glad Briggs is better and he is living with people who love him enough to fret over him, to learn for him, to administer to his needs.
Steve and Alayne are God's hands.
Posted by: Lynne Parker | May 18, 2009 at 07:18 PM
I'm so glad Briggs is better today!!
The whole episode sounds scary but I know you guys are calm and prepared with medicine for just about anything.
A big thank you to the wonderful and always available, Dr. Culver. She's a good friend!
Posted by: boundforglory | May 18, 2009 at 07:08 PM
Wow...what an amazing team you have to help out with medical issues! Glad to hear Briggs is feeling his happy self.
Posted by: Nina | May 18, 2009 at 07:05 PM